SculptureTucson — the local non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing Arizona’s cultural landscape through the placement of sculpture in public spaces; establishing a public sculpture park; and becoming a resource for diverse artists and art collectors — announced the launch of its all new Sculpture on the Street program, turning the streets of Tucson into America’s largest public sculpture art gallery.
“We are committed to furthering the profession of sculpture through our events and programs,” says Steve Kimble of SculptureTucson. “Part of our mission serves to place art in public spaces for all to enjoy and we are excited to facilitate more partnerships with artists and businesses through Sculpture on the Street putting more local art in front of thousands of eyes every day.”
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Sculpture on the Street works to connect sculptors and businesses to place large 3D works of art along heavily traveled roads in Tucson and throughout Pima County. Artists’ works of art can either be purchased outright or leased to the partnering business; there is no cost for artists to submit works for acceptance.
Businesses can bring attention to their location with an installation of a distinctive sculpture on their property. Those that are in are interested in buying or leasing a sculpture can select from available sculptures in the program’s digital archives, view some examples at SculptureTucson’s headquarters, or even consult with an artist about designing a custom piece. For businesses that choose to buy the artwork outright, the purchase is tax-deductible.
Artists and businesses can visit https://sculpturetucson.org/sculpture-on-the-street/ to learn more about submitting works or purchasing/leasing sculptures to display at their place of business.
Multiple sculptures have already been installed through the Sculpture on the Street program, including artist Hector Ortega’s piece on display outside the city’s Parks and Recreation Department; Otto Rigan’s massive stone and glass sculpture exhibited outside the Great Western Bank at the intersection of Blacklidge Drive and Campbell Avenue, and — the very first installation of this program — a playful trail of giant ants, each five feet long and weighing more than 60 pounds, created by local artist Steve Kimble that adorn the top of a ramada at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park and are visible from River Road. For more, visit www.sculpturetucson.org.
